Hull City head coach Leonid Slutsky says Evandro is battling to overcome an injury dating back two years as the Brazilian playmaker continues to wait on a green light to begin his season.

Evandro has become City’s forgotten man this season after seeing his attempts to impress Slutsky placed on hold by a hamstring problem suffered in July.

The 31-year-old started the first two pre-season friendlies but has not been seen in action since limping out of the 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers in Portugal after just 12 minutes.

A hamstring tendon injury was not initially considered serious ahead of the new campaign beginning last month but Evandro is still waiting to feature in a Championship season that is now eight games old. City’s medical team are treating the midfielder’s rehabilitation with kid gloves and Slutsky has admitted the injury could date back to Evandro’s time with Porto.

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“Evandro has a muscle problem,” explained Slutsky. “Really, it’s not an easy situation. He has had this type of problem not only today but also maybe in the last two seasons.

“Our scientist department is thinking what is the best recovery for him. We must be very careful in this situation because maybe it could be like a new injury. Evandro is using an individual method in his recovery and information will come in each moment.

David Meyler, flanked by Will Keane, Evandro and Leonid Slutsky, at the launch of Hull City's new home shirt at the Streetlife Museum last night (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

“He has a problem but it’s a long-term problem. We must manage him slowly.”

Saturday’s trip to Reading is again likely to come too soon for a player whose last competitive appearance came in City’s 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace in May, a fixture that confirmed the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Evandro arrived at the KCOM Stadium in January for a fee believed to be in the region of £500,000, teaming up with his former Estoril boss Marco Silva.

Just seven Premier League starts came during the second half of last season as injuries took their toll and Evandro’s problems are yet to be fully overcome this term. Saturday’s trip to Reading will be the first of three games in eight days leading up to the second international break of the season and Evandro will need to prove his fitness before being considered by Slutsky.

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If not, the away game at Norwich on October 14 could be a more pragmatic target. Defender Ondrej Mazuch is expected to be back for this weekend’s trip to the Madejski Stadium, providing City with four central defensive options for the first time this season.

Mazuch has missed the last three games with an ankle problem suffered in the 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers but should be back in contention alongside Michael Dawson, Michael Hector and Fikayo Tomori if he comes through training unscathed this week.